Ahmed Shehzad, the talented yet controversial cricket player from Pakistan, has had a rollercoaster career filled with highs and lows, both on and off the field. Born on November 23, 1991, in Lahore, Pakistan, Shehzad burst onto the international cricket scene with immense promise and potential, drawing comparisons to the likes of Aamer Sohail and Saeed Anwar.
With his stylish appearance and aggressive approach, Shehzad was a beacon of hope for Pakistan’s batting lineup. Similar to the Indian cricket icon Virat Kohli, Shehzad possessed the ability to play the off-stump ball towards the leg side against fast bowlers. This unique skill set made him a dangerous opener and raised expectations for his future performances.
In 2014, Shehzad etched his name in the record books by becoming Pakistan’s first-ever T20I century-maker, achieving this feat in just 58 balls against Bangladesh during the T20 World Cup held that year. This remarkable innings showcased his skills and solidified his position at the top of Pakistan’s batting order.
Later in the same year, Shehzad displayed a combination of aggression and caution in the Test format, scoring a career-best 176 against New Zealand in Abu Dhabi. This innings demonstrated his ability to adapt his game to different formats and solidified his position as a key contributor in Pakistan’s Test squad.
In the ODI format, Shehzad displayed consistency over a relatively short period of time. He became only the fourth Pakistani opener to score five ODI hundreds, achieving this milestone in just 43 innings, compared to Aamer Sohail’s 132 innings. This impressive feat highlighted his effectiveness as an opener in limited-overs cricket.
Despite his undeniable talent, Shehzad’s career has been marred by behavioral controversies. His flashy appearance and attitude often overshadowed his modest batting numbers. Many of his attractive shots would often find their way straight into the hands of fielders, leaving fans and critics craving for more.
In 2016, due to disciplinary issues, Shehzad was excluded from the probables squad for Pakistan’s tour of England. Coach Mickey Arthur labeled both Shehzad and Umar Akmal as “disruptions to the team”. Moreover, in 2014, he was reprimanded for engaging in an on-field argument involving religion with Tillakaratne Dilshan. The year 2018 brought further misfortune as Shehzad failed a drugs test and received a ban, which was later extended due to the discovery of his participation in club cricket during the suspension period.
Although Shehzad made a brief comeback to the T20I team in 2019 based on his outstanding performances in the Pakistan Super League (PSL), he struggled to retain his place in the playing XI due to inconsistent form and competition from other talented players.
Ahmed Shehzad’s cricketing journey has been a tumultuous one, filled with immense talent, memorable innings, and unfortunate controversies. While his promising start raised hopes of a long-term opener for Pakistan, his off-field issues and inability to consistently convert starts into substantial scores have hindered his progress. Nonetheless, his contributions to Pakistani cricket will always hold a significant place in its illustrious history.
